Coin-operated vending-machine.



No. 856,019. PATENTED JUNE 4', 1907.

. 0. BIGELOW. 00m OPERATED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION- FILED AUG. 1, 1903.

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2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATENTED JUNE 4, 1907. G. BIGELOW.

COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE. I

APPLICATION IILED AUG. 1. 1903. I

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES CLAUDE BIGELOIV, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO RIPLEY J. WVHITE,

PATENT OFFICEo OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 4, 1907.

Application filed August 1,1903- Serial i =Q- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLAUDE BIGELow, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Operated Vending- Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to the modified form of coinoperated vending machine, described and illustrated in my application for Letters Patent of the United States, filed June 1st, 1903, and bearing the serial number 159,595.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine, in which a large quantity of a given kind of commodity, like gum, candy, matches, or the like, can be placed in a very limited space, and from which the hoppers can be easily removed when it is desired to refill the same. This I accomplish by simple, cheap, and economically constructed mechanism which cannot easily get out of order, and may be depended upon to always operate as de sired, substantially as hereinafter fully described, and as particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a vertical central section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on dotted line 2-2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the motor and lower portion of the machine. taken on dotted line 33, Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the motor nearest the lower end of the coinchute showing the top plate of the motor broken away.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a suitable rectangular case the sides of which are preferably made of glass, and have their edges secured in a metallic frame that bounds the angles of the case. Secured preferably to the base B, in any suitable manner, is the frame-work of the motor, the top and lower plates, a and b, of which are circular as shown in the drawings. This motor is, preferably, located concentric with the center of the case and is provided with a central vertical spindle C, which, between said plates a and b, is provided with a barrel gear 0 that is engaged by the drive-gear d which is actuated directly or indirectly, according as desired, by the main-spring of the motor. I

The upper end of the spindle C extends up I through and beyond'its bearings and is provided with a polygonal shaped head C which is slightly tapered toward its upper end. If desired the spindle, reduced in diameter, may extend beyond this head to near the top of the machine. In this event, the upper end of this reduced portion C is screw threaded and provided with a nut C Placed upon and secured upon this spindle is a series of two or more hoppers F, F, which are secured to and supported, preferably, by an upper and lower horizontal plate (1 and D, up through alining openings in which the spindle passes. The lower plate has a boss e extending down therefrom in alinement with the opening therein, and is provided with a suitably shaped bore that fits snugly over head C in such manner that the said head practically sustains the weight of the hoppers. Plate D is,' preferably, rectangular, and has two or more tangentially projecting arms that form the trays or platforms E, E, upon which rest the packages of gum or other commodity vended by the machine which are contained in the superimposed hoppers F, F. Referring to the drawings it will be observed that there are four of these trays, and that they are rectangular in shape, but it is obvious that the shape of these platforms may be changed, as well as that of the hoppers (which will be hereinafter more fully commodity or package the machine is designed to sell. The hoppers F consist of open rectangular frames which are sustained in such position that their lower edges ter minate a short distance above the upper surface of the tray that the commodity or package may be moved or pushed laterally off the platform, out from under the hoppers, by means of a stationary sweep, G, which con sists of a horizontally disposed'arm secured to and projecting to the rear from the metallic shield g which latter consists of a suitable plate of metal forming the lower portion of the front wall of the machine. This sweep is located about midway between the sides of the machine in such a horizontal plane that, as the hoppers and tray revolve, the sweep passes under the hopper and over the tray described) to accommodate the shape of the IuO ' tion. of the shield, by means of which it is conveyed to the outside of the machine within convenient reach of the purchaser.

Pivoted to the underside of each platform E, near their outer ends is a spider-shaped trip J, having three arms; one, 7c, of which projects longitudinally out from under and beyond the outer edge of the platform, and is bent or inclined in a plane oblique to the horizontal plane of the movement of the trip, like the blade of a propeller. Projecting therefrom in a direction diametrically opposite the arm 7c, this trip is provided with.another arm 0, which has a transverse slot 0 in its extremity down through which a pin 0 depending from the platform E extends, to limit the oscillatory movement of the trip; and the third arm m projects substantially at right-angles to the arm is, in the direction of the movement of the hopper, and is bent downward and then horizontally, and has its extremity shaped so as to provide a point m, the shape of which. corresponds substantially to the shape of a one-lobed spear-head. At about the transverse plane of the neck of this point m, arm m is provided with an indgnted shoulder n in its outer longitudinal e ge.

Secured to the spindle C, preferably just below its upper bearings in the frame-work of the motor, is a comparatively large gear M which derives motion from the main-spring of the motor through the medium of a suitable train of gear, and about diametrically opposite thereto engages the teeth of the smaller diameter of a stepped gear O, the teeth of the larger diameter of which engage an escapement P and rapidly vibrates an arm P, projecting radially in the opposite direction from the pivot of the escapement. This arm extends horizontally out beyond the side of the frame of the motor, which is then bent vertically upward and then inward over the edge of said frame and terminates in an upward stretch which forms a vertical stop Q, substantially as shown in Fig. .3 of the drawings. This stop Q of the arm P is so located that, when the trip J is in its normal position it will intercept the arm m by coming in contact with the shoulder Thus, when intercepted, the trip will be at the limit of its movement'in one direction, and, when a coin is dropped down upon the inclined projecting portion of arm It, the trip will be thrown to the limit of its movement in the opposite direction, and the shoulder m and rotate the hoppers a distance corresponding to the distance between the same, and until the arm m pivoted to the neXt following platform is intercepted by said arm P. In order that this engagement of the arm m of the trip by the arm P of the motor may take place, I have provided. a vertical post R which projects up from the upper plate of the frame of the motor, between the vertical extremity of the arm P and the center of rotation of the hoppers, against which the oblique edge of the point m comes in contact and throws the trip. back to its original position, before engagement between the arm m of the trip and the arm P of the motor takes place, to arrest the operation of said motor.

Near the top of the case of the machine, and preferably, near one side, case A is provided with a slot r for the reception of the coin, by means of-which the machine is operated, and extending to the rear and inclined downward at a suitable angle from this slot is a coinchute S, of any suitable construction, which, at the point adjacent to the vertical plane of the trip nearest the arm P of the motor, extends downward so as to discharge the coin deposited therein upon the inclined portion of the arm 7c of the trip projecting out from under the outer end. edge of the adjacent platform 13.,

The operation of the machine is as follows :A coin being inserted in slot 1 in the front of the case, rolls down the inclined runway and drops through the coin-chute S, which directs it to and discharges it upon the inclined portion of arm 76 of the pivoted trip J. When the coin strikes said arm 7c it forces it to one side, thereby disengaging the stop Q of the motor from the shoulder n on the side of the downwardly bent arm of the trip. The motor thus released causes the hoppers to move a distance corresponding to onequarter of an entire revolution, and during this movement the horizontal sweep G passes between the lower end of the hopper and the platform immediately below the hopper, and brushes the lowermost article from the stack of articles to be vend ed, and allows it to drop into the inclined chute H within convenient reach of the purchaser. After the stop Q has been released, the arm P is kept vibrating by the motor until the next succeeding hopper approaches the post R, whereupon the trip will slide along the beveled face of said post and cause its shoulder to engage the stop Q, and lock the machine against further rotation until another coin is inserted. in the chute and releases arm 7c.

What I claim as new is 1. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a plurality of hoppers, movable seriatim past a fixed point always in the same direction around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them; a motor for imparting motion thereto; and a coin actuated device which releases said motor, and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation of the same, at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

2. A coin-operated vending machine com prising a plurality of hoppers movable seriatim past a fixed point always in the same direction around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them;

a motor for imparting motion thereto; and a single coin-actuated device which releases said motor, and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation of the same at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

3. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single coin-chute or way; a plurality of vertical hoppers having a movement seri at'im past a fixed point always in the same direction around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them; and a coin-operated device connected to and carried by each of said hoppers that releases the motor and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation thereof at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

4. A coinoperated vending machine comprising two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent rotating movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which as said hoppers rotate passes between said hoppers and their respective trays, a motor for actuating said hoppers, and a coin-actuated device which releases said motor and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation thereof at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

5. A coin-operated vendin machine comprising two or more vertical oppers having an intermittent rotating movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which as said hoppers rotate passes between said hoppers and their respective trays, a motor for actuating said hoppers and a single coin-actuated device which releases said motor and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation thereof at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

6. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single coin-chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which as said hoppers rotate passes between the hoppers and their respective trays, and a motor for actuating said hoppers and a coinactuated device connected to and carried by each of said hoppers which releases the motor and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation thereof at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

7. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single chute or way,two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said hoppers, and a motor for actuating said hoppers and means engaging said trips in succession which releases the motor and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation thereof at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

8. A coin-operated vending machine com prising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said hoppers, and a motor for actuating said hoppers and means operatively connected to said motor and engaging said trips in succession which releases the motor and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation thereof at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

9. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said hoppers, and a motor for actuating said hoppers and vibratory means operatively connected to said motor and engaged by said trips in succession which releases the motor and is then automatically reset to arrest the operation thereof at the end of each intermittent movement of said hoppers.

10. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them,

a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to,

the underside of and carried by each of said hoppers, comprising arms projecting from said pivot at right angles to each other, one of which extends in the direction of the movement of said hoppers and the other outward at right angles thereto, and means engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action of said motor is alternately released and arrested.

11. A coin-operated vending machine if comprising a single chute or Way, two or movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a coineactuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said hoppers comprising arms projecting from said pivot at right angles to each other, one of which extends in the direction of the movement of said hoppers and the other outward at right angles thereto, and means operatively connected to said motor and engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action of said motor is alternately released and arrested.

12. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said hoppers comprising arms projecting from said pivot at right angles to each other, one of which extends in the direction of the movement of said hoppers and the other outward at right angles thereto, and vibratory means engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action of said motor is alternately released and arrested.

13. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which, as said hoppers rotate, passes between said hoppers and their respective trays, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said trays, and means engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action of said motor is alternately released and arrested.

14. A coin-operated vending machine com prising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which, as said hoppers rotate, passes between said hoppers and their respective trays, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said trays, and means operatively connected to said motor and engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action of said motor is alternately released and arrested.

15. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single chute or way, two or more.

vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them,

a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which, as said hoppers rotate, passes between said hoppers and their respective trays, a

coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said trays, and vibratory means operatively connected to said motor and engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action ofpivot at right angles to each other, one 'of which extends in the direction of the movement of said hoppers and the other outward at right angles thereto, and means engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action of said motor is alternately released and arrested.

17. A coinoperated vending machine comprising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center a distance corresponding to the interval between them, a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which, as said hoppers rotate, passes between said hoppers and their respective trays, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said trays comprising arms projecting from said pivot at right angles to each other, one of which extends in the direction of the movement of said hoppers and the other outward at right angles thereto, and means operatively connected to said motor and engaged by said trips in succession whereby the action of said motor is alternately released and arrested.

18. A coin-operated vending machine comprising a single chute or way, two or more vertical hoppers having an intermittent movement around the same center adistance corresponding to the interval between them, a tray for each of said hoppers located a suitable distance below the same and movable therewith, a stationary horizontal sweep which, as said hoppers rotate, passes between said hoppers and their respective trays, a coin-actuated trip pivotally connected to the underside of and carried by each of said trays comprising arms projecting from said pivot at right angles to each other, one of I In testimony whereof I have hereunto set which extends in the direction of the movemy hand this 27th day of July, 1903. merit of said hoppers and the other outward at right angles thereto, and vibratory means CLAUDE W" 5 engaged by said trips in succession whereby Witnesses:

the action of said motor is alternately re- E. K. LUNDY,

leased and arrested. E. W. HART. 

